Manchester United head into the derby at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday on the back of a morale-boosting result against Chelsea.

Robin van Persie's last-minute equaliser means Louis van Gaal's side should head across the city with a bit of extra confidence. United were beaten 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium last season, and lost the reserve fixture 3-0 at Old Trafford.

But with Angel Di Maria, Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao in their ranks, and Wayne Rooney back from suspension, the fans will travel to City hopeful of getting a positive result.

The MEN's football writers have chosen the teams they think should line up against City on Sunday. Scroll down to see who they picked.

Rob Dawson

It seems strange to be suggesting Marouane Fellaini should start the derby given where he was a few weeks ago, but his performance against Chelsea makes it almost impossible to leave him out.

If he can do to Yaya Toure what he did to Cesc Fabregas, it will go a long way to helping United win the battle in midfield.

Angel Di Maria played a lot wider against Chelsea and didn't have the same influence on the game. Giving him a more central role would get him on the ball more and give him the chance to run at Vincent Kompany and Eliaquim Mangala.

It will be tempting for Van Gaal to bring back Phil Jones at right back, if only to offer a more physical presence at set-pieces, but it doesn't look like he'll be passed fit.

Either Michael Carrick or Ander Herrera should play in midfield with Fellaini and Daley Blind to make sure United don't get steamrollered in the middle like they have in a few of the more recent derbies.

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Simon Bajkowski

The big call would be to start Marouane Fellaini.

I think Ander Herrera has had a good start to his Reds career but while he is not 100 per cent the big Belgian can take his chance and unsettle City's midfield, who were outpowered by Alex Song last week.

As captain and for his derby record, Wayne Rooney has earned the right to start, and Robin Van Persie looked a lot sharper against Chelsea.

So too did Adnan Januzaj, who should retain his place in midfield alongside Daley Blind and Angel Di Maria.

Barring more or fewer injuries the back five picks itself, as it did on Sunday.

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Samuel Luckhurst

Juan Mata should have been sacrificed against Chelsea and he shouldn't start in the derby.

Rooney's not impressed when he's played this season but boasts a terrific goalscoring record against City and has to start if fit - even if it means he continues as a No.10.

Di Maria is deserving of a central role, but United need to capitalise on City's creaky defence with a four-pronged attack. Marouane Fellaini and Daley Blind will at least offer United's defence some much-needed protection.

The back five picks itself. Chris Smalling was United's best central defender when he played there last season.